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#religiousfreedom

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Ten Years after the 709 Crackdown: Symposium on #China’s #RuleOfLaw and #ReligiousFreedom, featuring leading human rights experts & persecuted voices.

🗓️ July 8th, 2025
📍 CVC 200, Capitol Visitor's Center, Washington DC - Livestream Available
🕘 In-person registration starts at 9:00 AM (ET), Livestreaming starts at 9:30 AM (ET)

📺 Scan the QR code on the poster to watch the 👉livestream: youtube.com/live/W2c03qPFqqw?f
🔗 Register here: forms.gle/C8bGVoKMMAeWK2cg8

Seats are limited—RSVP today!

🌟 Happy Unveiling Day! On June 25, 2015, the Baphomet statue was unveiled, symbolizing the importance of religious equality and freedom of expression. This monumental bronze statue reminds us that everyone deserves a voice, regardless of their beliefs. Let’s celebrate diversity and promote acceptance in our communities! 🤝✨ #UnveilingDay #Acceptance #ReligiousEquality #Baphomet #Tolerance #CelebrateDiversity #Kindness #ReligiousFreedom en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_o

Irony. The "land of the free" has driven out a worldwide meeting of #humanists. So much for #religiousfreedom.

atheists.org/2025/06/announcin

American Atheists · Announcing Relocation of the 2026 World Humanist CongressAmerican Atheists, in close coordination with Humanists International and Humanist Canada, announces the 2026 World Humanist Congress will no longer be held in Washington, D.C., but will instead take place in Ottawa, Canada, August 7-9, 2026. The decision to relocate comes after a thorough assessment of the social, political, and economic environment in the United States under the current administration. Escalating religious nationalism and executive actions restricting movement, targeting civil society, and eroding human rights protections have created an inhospitable environment for an international gathering rooted in the values of secularism and inclusion. American Atheists planned to host the 2026 World Humanist Congress in the United States capital but concluded it is no longer possible to ensure the admissibility or security of attendees — especially those from South and Central America, the Middle East and Northern Africa, Central Asia, and other key regions.  The Trump Administration’s increasingly aggressive stance toward legal immigration, its creation of ideological commissions to police “anti-Christian bias,” and retributive actions against nonprofit advocacy organizations — including humanist groups — pose serious risks to both domestic and international participants. Reductions to the U.S. Department of State’s visa application and approval capacity, combined with attendees’ reluctance to travel to D.C. and American Atheists’ inability to predict and mitigate future threats pose too large a risk to event attendees, staff, and volunteers.  In response to the developing circumstances in the U.S., American Atheists, Humanists International, and Humanist Canada have worked quickly and collaboratively to secure a new location for the 2026 World Humanist Congress.  “Humanists all over the world are alarmed by the escalating religious nationalism and decline in human rights protections in the United States. As a stable, inclusive, and rights-affirming environment, Canada will allow us to convene an event that truly reflects humanist values,” said Gary McLelland, Chief Executive of Humanists International. “We’ve already had very positive discussions with Canadian authorities about how they can help humanists come together in their country, and Canadian humanists are eager to welcome our global community.”  “The necessity of this relocation reflects a deeply troubling reality,” said Nick Fish, President of American Atheists. “The current U.S. government is fundamentally opposed to the ideals of pluralism, religious liberty, and free thought. They are damaging our nation’s reputation overseas and dismantling the institutions and constitutional rights that undergird our democracy here at home.” “Nonetheless, our ability to convene in Canada next year demonstrates the tireless resilience of the secular community,” added Fish. “At a time when our people and values are increasingly under attack, the World Humanist Congress will carry on — not in retreat, but with a renewed purpose to peacefully yet powerfully reaffirm our unshaken support for reason, religious freedom, and equal rights for all.” Further details about the 2026 World Humanist Congress will be available in the coming weeks.

"In a press statement issued June 6, Americans United criticized U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) after she used social media to attack a Sikh man who had been invited to deliver a prayer before Congress.

Miller, who initially misidentified the man, Giani Surinder Singh, as a Muslim, insisted that his prayer “should never have been allowed to happen” because the United States was “founded as a Christian nation.” She called the prayer “deeply troubling.”

The New Inquisition is planning to do everything it can to erase any spiritual practice that isn't christianity from being accepted as normal or even seen in public.

Link: au.org/the-latest/articles/chr

The US is not, and has never been, a "christian nation." That is a lie, and a refutal of constitutional rights for people of other faiths, or no faith.

The New Inquisition is coming, folks.

"The surprise guest for the Commission meeting was none other than U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. The witness tables on stage were cleared to make way for a podium, from which Bondi would eventually say that “[the Commission] will be the tip of the spear” in the fight for their version of religious liberty and expressed her pride at it being housed at the DOJ.

That’s when my row decided it was time to leave. It felt right – necessary even – not to sit there and listen to the explicit weaponization of the U.S. Department of Justice, where I once worked to protect the American people from discrimination, for the good of Christian Nationalism. So, quietly and politely, we walked out."

The warning here is clear.

The New Inquisition is coming.

Link: au.org/the-latest/articles/i-a

#SeparationOfChurchAndState preserved for the moment as Court blocks Louisiana law requiring schools to post Ten Commandments in classrooms. Public schools are just that, public. Student bodies include kids that are Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, agnostic and atheist. The US Constitution mandates no state religion, as many of the authors and founders of the country fled religious persecution. They understood the dangers of state-mandated religion - so they protected all of us against it and in the process guaranteed the freedom to practice any religion. Christians are overreaching, attempting to circumvent the #constitution and the intentions of our founders. #Religion #Christianity #FreedomFromReligion #ReligiousFreedom #legl #TenCommandments #PublicEducation #PublicSchools #Education

apnews.com/article/louisiana-t

From Planned Parenthood:
House Republicans passed a bill that would "defund" Planned Parenthood health centers — and right now, the Senate is getting ready to vote on it. If it becomes law, nearly 200 Planned Parenthood health centers could be forced to close, cutting off 1.1 million patients from care and decimating abortion access. That's birth control, wellness exams, STI testing, abortion, cancer screenings — all of it, shut down and gone.

Please call your senators right now and urge them to vote NO on the bill that "defunds" Planned Parenthood by texting CARE to 22422 or filling out this form: plannedparenthoodaction.org/ca

We need to do everything we can to prevent the Senate from passing this dangerous bill.

From Americans United for Separation of Church and State:
Over the past few months, several critical religious freedom cases were argued at the U.S. Supreme Court, resulting in significant decisions relating to religious freedom, public education, LGBTQ+ rights, and church-state separation. 

Want to learn more? RSVP today to join us on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. ET for a free, virtual webinar titled “Beyond the Bench: Faith, Freedom & the Supreme Court.”

Register: mobilize.us/au/event/795037/

From Americans United for Separation of Church and State:

You’re invited to RSVP and join us on Tuesday, June 24, at 12:00 p.m. ET and Thursday, June 26, at 12:00 p.m. ET for a free, virtual, two-part webinar series on “Christian Nationalism and the Multiracial Far Right.” 

These webinars will feature an expert group of panelists who will explore how Christian Nationalism operates across religious, racial and cultural lines, and how Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Black and Brown Christian communities are impacted by and resist conservative religious ideologies.

Register: mobilize.us/srf/event/794966/

"AU’s view is actually pretty simple: Adults should be able to form the relationships they want and live their lives free from religious coercion. Everyone must have the right to decide what role, if any, religion will play in their lives. The most private and intimate parts of our lives are no one else’s business."

Link: au.org/the-latest/articles/chu

With the white nationalist christo-fascists coup, you can expect to be turned away from most adoption agencies. They will either be privatized completely, along with CPS, or contracted out to right wing xian providers, who will turn away anyone who won't promise to completely disregard children's rights to be themselves regarding their gender, and their rights to choose their own spiritual path.

And if you're Jewish or Atheist or Muslim or Buddhist or Pagan? Forget it. Not a chance.

Link: au.org/the-latest/articles/wha

The Fellowship of Reconciliation is not known for avoiding controversial issues. Over the years, the issue of abortion has been hotly and painfully debated among our members, affiliates, staff and board.

In 1999, the FOR National Council determined the organization's position as pro-choice, while calling for “mutually respectful dialogue and compassionate listening on this issue."

In pursuit of such loving dialogue, I welcome all of you, whatever your position on the issue, to join the upcoming conversation with Rev. Zeh.

Read FOR's statement on the issue of abortion here: forusa.org/pro-choice/

Register for the Zoom webinar: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regist

This is a clear violation of the religious rights of Texan Buddhists, among many others. The Buddhist Churches of America has fought many times for the separation of church and state. Time to get active once again.
#texas #religiousfreedom #politics
friendlyatheist.com/p/texas-se

Friendly Atheist · Texas Senate passes bill to force Christian date labels (B.C. and A.D.) in public schoolsBy Friendly Atheist

Pagan Community Notes for May 22, 2025:

In this week’s Pagan Community Notes, we’ve received heartfelt letters from community members reflecting on the enduring legacy of the witchcraft trials and another raising concerns about ongoing threats to religious freedom. Star’s weekly tarot pull yields the Hierophant. We are also saddened to report a Crossing of the Veil.

wildhunt.org/2025/05/pagan-com

The Wild Hunt · Pagan Community Notes: Week of May 22, 2025By The Wild Hunt

"You’re invited to a timely and powerful conversation, “Christian Nationalism Today,” taking place virtually on Wednesday, May 28, from 7:30–9:00 p.m. ET.

Join Americans United President and CEO Rachel Laser and acclaimed journalist and author Katherine Stewart for a revealing look inside the machinery of the Christian Nationalist movement — and how we can fight back.

Together, Rachel and Katherine will examine how Christian Nationalism has gained power in America through an interconnected web of think tanks, legal groups, and policy organizations—all backed by a network of wealthy conservative funders. They’ll pull back the curtain on the inner workings, leading personalities, and disturbing anti-democratic goals of a movement that seeks to erase religious freedom, pluralism, and the rule of law."

Register: habermaninstitute.org/events-2

From the Workers Circle and Jews for a Secular Democracy:

Moderated by Nomi Joyrich from JFASD, our panel of experts will highlight real-world examples of gender-based discrimination, discuss the Jewish values that implore us to pay attention and take action, examine its far-reaching impact on individuals and communities, and offer practical tools for advocacy.

In this webinar, you’ll learn how to better engage in informed conversations with family, friends, and elected officials, and explore what it means to be a strong ally to the LGTBQ+ community in the fight for gender equity and religious freedom.

Registration: circle.org/events/religious-fr

Christian Nationalists once again twisting the definitions of words to suit their forced pregnancy agenda.

Being forced to have unwanted children is real coercion - and a crime against humanity.

From Plan C:
Let's Talk about Coercion

Link to Jezebel Article: jezebel.com/louisiana-doubles-

Watchlist Article: time.com/7266334/us-human-righ

Visit You Have Options: youalwayshaveoptions.com/

Plan C is a project of Possibility Labs, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. Donate if you are able: plancpills.org/donate?_hsmi=36

"All donations directly support our communications campaigns, partnerships and research aimed at normalizing self-directed care and changing the landscape of abortion access in the U.S."